CryoSat 2 will spend more than three years measuring Earth's eroding polar ice caps. Scientists expect the CryoSat 2 satellite will not only determine the rate ice is melting, but also provide clues on how the changes will affect Earth's fickle climate and sea levels. The CryoSat 2 satellite carries dual radars to measure the thickness of land and sea ice during the mission. Designed to pierce clouds and see through darkness, the instruments will determine ice elevation with a precision of about one centimeter, or a half-inch, according to ESA.